Floormat physiological sensor

Abstract

A stand-on physiological sensor (e.g. floormat) measures vital signs and various hemodynamic parameters, including blood pressure and ECG waveforms. The sensor is similar in configuration to a common bathroom scale and includes electrodes that take electrical measurements from a patient's feet to generate bioimpedance waveforms, which are analyzed digitally to extract various other parameters, as well as a cuff-type blood pressure system that takes physical blood pressure measurements at one of the patient's feet. Blood pressure can also be calculated / derived from the bioimpedance waveforms. Measured parameters are transmitted wirelessly to facilitate remote monitoring of the patient for heart failure, chronic heart failure, end-stage renal disease, cardiac arrhythmias, and other degenerative diseases.

Description

BACKGROUND AND FIELD OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention[0001]The invention relates to sensors that measure physiological signals from patients, and the use of such sensors.2. General Background[0002]Known electrical or digital weight scales typically use a load cell, integrated into a Wheatstone Bridge circuit, to measure a patient's weight. In such devices, the load cell exhibits a small, force-dependent resistance changes when the patient steps on the scale. The Wheatstone Bridge features four resistors, at least one of which is part of the load cell, and a measurable / ascertainable voltage change across Bridge varies with the force applied to the load cell. The voltage change thus correlates to the patient's weight. Once the scale is calibrated, the voltage is digitized and processed and ultimately converted into a weight, which is then displayed to the patient.[0003]More advanced electrical or digital weight scales include stainless steel electrodes and associated circuitr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a physiological sensor that can be used at home to measure important vital signs and hemodynamic parameters. The sensor is easy to use and integrates into the patient's daily activities. It uses a pressure-delivery system to measure blood pressure and can calibrate itself regularly to maintain accuracy. The sensor is designed to detect early onset of diseases like CHF and prevent hospitalization. It is also consistent in measuring parameters through the feet when used daily, improving repeatability and reproducibility. Overall, the sensor provides a convenient and effective tool for monitoring patient health.

Problems solved by technology

For TFC deviation in the day-to-day placement of the electrodes can result in measurement errors.

This, in turn, can lead to misinformation (particularly when trends of the measured parameters are to be extracted), thereby nullifying the value of such measurements and thus negatively impacting treatment.

Unfortunately, during a measurement, the lead wires can pull on the electrodes if the device is moved relative to the patient's body, or if the patient ambulates and snags the lead wires on surrounding objects.

Such pulling can be uncomfortable or even painful, particularly where the electrodes are attached to hirsute parts of the body, and this can inhibit patient compliance with long-term monitoring.

Moreover, these actions can degrade or even completely eliminate adhesion of the electrodes to the patient's skin, and in some cases completely destroying the electrodes' ability to sense the physiological signals at various electrode locations.

Chronic elevation of LVEDP causes transudation of fluid from the pulmonary veins into the lungs, resulting in shortness of breath (dyspnea), rapid breathing (tachypnea), and fatigue with exertion due to the mismatch of oxygen delivery and oxygen demand throughout the body.

As CO is compromised, the kidneys respond with decreased filtration capability, thus driving retention of sodium and water and leading to an increase in intravascular volume.

However, an extremely delicate balance between these two biological treatment modalities needs to be maintained, since an increase in blood pressure (which relates to afterload) or fluid retention (which relates to preload), or a significant change in heart rate due to a tachyarrhythmia, can lead to decompensated HF.

Unfortunately, this condition is often unresponsive to oral medications.

However, by itself, this parameter is typically not sensitive enough to detect the early onset of CHF—a particularly important stage in the condition when the condition may be ameliorated simply and effectively by a simple change in medication or diet.

As noted above, these organs then respond with a reduction in their filtering capacity, thus causing the patient to retain sodium and water and leading to an increase in intravascular volume.

This, in turn, leads to congestion, which is manifested to some extent by a build-up of fluids in the patient's thoracic cavity (e.g. TFC).

CHF is also the leading cause of mortality for patients with ESRD, and this demographic costs Medicare nearly $90,000 / patient annually.

Less-than-satisfactory consistency with the use of any medical device (in terms of duration and / or methodology) may be particularly likely in an environment such as the patient's home or a nursing home, where direct supervision may be less than optimal.

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